He attended the University of Virginia where he joined the Fraternity of Delta Psi (aka St. Anthony Hall) in 1875.

That spring of 1908, poor health caused the newly elected bishop to take an extended leave of absence, resuming ecclesiastical duties April 1, 1909.

During his tenure as Bishop, the missionary work of the Diocese concerned the creation of new missions for African-Americans, however he excluded all African Americans from church government forcing Deaconess Anna Alexander to seek assistance from the Episcopal Board of Missions.

On the twentieth anniversary of his consecration, at the convention in 1928, Reese asked about disappearing communicants noting the 5,290 person he had confirmed in 20 years.

After that was sold and the camp and conference center was moved to its current location on Honey Creek in Camden County, the dining hall at that new facility was named the Reese Dining Hall for Reese.